The 3/4 line...

[Tommy Smith]

The Cowboys Premiership winning 3/4 line...

2. Winterstein
3. Linnett
4. Wright
5. Feldt

Hardly world beaters. Just look at that scab centre pairing. Now I know that they had one of the greatest attacking playmakers in history pulling the strings, but the point remains that Premierships are won with a dominant pack and a well oiled spine. I'd argue that even an impactful bench is now more important than elite talent in the 3/4s.

We've had a brute of a 3/4 line the last couple of years but we won the comp the year before because we were a) fit b) our forwards were firing on all cyclinders and c) our halves were in the groove.

So... even with a 3/4 line of Toops Copley SKD Burgess (still loaded with talent) I believe that we'll remain a Premiership threat IF...

1. The halves click with Hastings having a breakout year and Pearce playing a dominant role
2. Fergo kills it at fullback
3. Our monstrous pack remains fully fit and intact

These factors far outweigh the presence of Jennings (who's still on a milk carton as MISSING following last years finals series) in determining our success next year.

Well that's me trying to be optimistic anyway. If we rule out the chance of the Premiers going back to back as it just doesn't happen, and I think the Cowboys will have a huge let down year, then only Brisbane are better than us on paper imo.

[Easts75]

The Cowboys Premiership winning 3/4 line...
2. Winterstein3. Linnett4. Wright5. Feldt
Hardly world beaters. Just look at that scab centre pairing. Now I know that they had one of the greatest attacking playmakers in history pulling the strings, but the point remains that Premierships are won with a dominant pack and a well oiled spine. I'd argue that even an impactful bench is now more important than elite talent in the 3/4s.
We've had a brute of a 3/4 line the last couple of years but we won the comp the year before because we were a) fit b) our forwards were firing on all cyclinders and c) our halves were in the groove.
So... even with a 3/4 line of Toops Copley SKD Burgess (still loaded with talent) I believe that we'll remain a Premiership threat IF...
1. The halves click with Hastings having a breakout year and Pearce playing a dominant role
2. Fergo kills it at fullback3. Our monstrous pack remains fully fit and intact
These factors far outweigh the presence of Jennings (who's still on a milk carton as MISSING following last years finals series) in determining our success next year.
Well that's me trying to be optimistic anyway. If we rule out the chance of the Premiers going back to back as it just doesn't happen, and I think the Cowboys will have a huge let down year, then only Brisbane are better than us on paper imo.

Good post.
Imagine if you swapped the Cows 6 & 7 for ours in 14 & 15 !!!

[Steakface]

The Cowboys Premiership winning 3/4 line...

2. Winterstein
3. Linnett
4. Wright
5. Feldt

Hardly world beaters. Just look at that scab centre pairing. Now I know that they had one of the greatest attacking playmakers in history pulling the strings, but the point remains that Premierships are won with a dominant pack and a well oiled spine. I'd argue that even an impactful bench is now more important than elite talent in the 3/4s.

We've had a brute of a 3/4 line the last couple of years but we won the comp the year before because we were a) fit b) our forwards were firing on all cyclinders and c) our halves were in the groove.

So... even with a 3/4 line of Toops Copley SKD Burgess (still loaded with talent) I believe that we'll remain a Premiership threat IF...

1. The halves click with Hastings having a breakout year and Pearce playing a dominant role
2. Fergo kills it at fullback
3. Our monstrous pack remains fully fit and intact

These factors far outweigh the presence of Jennings (who's still on a milk carton as MISSING following last years finals series) in determining our success next year.

Well that's me trying to be optimistic anyway. If we rule out the chance of the Premiers going back to back as it just doesn't happen, and I think the Cowboys will have a huge let down year, then only Brisbane are better than us on paper imo.

Great post and totally agree.

1, 6 and 7 are where the money should be spent, followed by a splurge on one good centre - other centre can be solid but not spectacular. Wingers should always remain as cheap as possible, ideally young fullbacks in waiting such as RTS (previously) and Latrell (in future).

[TDK]

The Cowboys Premiership winning 3/4 line...

2. Winterstein
3. Linnett
4. Wright
5. Feldt

Hardly world beaters. Just look at that scab centre pairing. Now I know that they had one of the greatest attacking playmakers in history pulling the strings, but the point remains that Premierships are won with a dominant pack and a well oiled spine. I'd argue that even an impactful bench is now more important than elite talent in the 3/4s.

We've had a brute of a 3/4 line the last couple of years but we won the comp the year before because we were a) fit b) our forwards were firing on all cyclinders and c) our halves were in the groove.

So... even with a 3/4 line of Toops Copley SKD Burgess (still loaded with talent) I believe that we'll remain a Premiership threat IF...

1. The halves click with Hastings having a breakout year and Pearce playing a dominant role
2. Fergo kills it at fullback
3. Our monstrous pack remains fully fit and intact

These factors far outweigh the presence of Jennings (who's still on a milk carton as MISSING following last years finals series) in determining our success next year.

Well that's me trying to be optimistic anyway. If we rule out the chance of the Premiers going back to back as it just doesn't happen, and I think the Cowboys will have a huge let down year, then only Brisbane are better than us on paper imo.

I Don't agree. The Cows have had the same pack for years without result. However the big difference last year was their spine. The key players that made the difference were Coote at fullback, Morgan at 5/8, Thurston at half and Granville at Hooker. Yes their forwards played a big role but their spine was on fire throughout the year. Our spine with Fergo in a new role and unproven and the combination of a Pearce and Hastings without a backup halve doesn't rank very high or have that killer feel about it.

Our centres and backline for what it's worth doesn't have strike power. Do you remember how many tries both RTS and Jennings setup or scored from nothing, that's the point in losing players of such potency. Our spine is yet to prove itself and our outside backs have lost their potency. I do agree that our forwards are the top pack but unless you have the spine in the centre and finishers out wide, their hard work will be futile.

[2026]

The most important person in this seasons equation is Robbo.

Those Toyota Corollas that you've listed above were able to follow instructions and execute their role.

The Cows pack won last seasons GF not Thurston. They were immense! Milf was the best on ground by a country mile. The CC medal proved to be a farce once again.

Manly had one of the better and more balanced halves pairings last season and the best ball-playing FB in the comp but were let down by a park like engine room.The modern game is all about momentum and this starts down the middle. Get rolled down the guts and your chocolate.

We have a great pack with a number of young bulls that are maturing nicely. JWH was in career best form before sustaining his season ending injury.We witnessed him taking his game to another level on numerous occasions.The Knights away game was my fav.

Anyways, i can't wait for the season to start and think we'll be competitive.

[Tommy Smith]

So according to the last two people, you need a great spine and dominant pock first and foremost to win a comp. Not a star studded 3/4 line.

I'm glad you all agree! Even if one of you started your paragraph with "i don't agree" only to then agree with my whole point

Our spine has the potential to be fantastic. And if they are then, injuries permitting, we'll be fine.

[TDK]

The most important person in this seasons equation is Robbo.

Those Toyota Corollas that you've listed above were able to follow instructions and execute their role.

The Cows pack won last seasons GF not Thurston. They were immense! Milf was the best on ground by a country mile. The CC medal proved to be a farce once again.

Manly had one of the better and more balanced halves pairings last season and the best ball-playing FB in the comp but were let down by a park like engine room.The modern game is all about momentum and this starts down the middle. Get rolled down the guts and your chocolate.

We have a great pack with a number of young bulls that are maturing nicely. JWH was in career best form before sustaining his season ending injury.We witnessed him taking his game to another level on numerous occasions.The Knights away game was my fav.

Anyways, i can't wait for the season to start and think we'll be competitive.

You make sense and our pack will get us over the line more times than not however it's the big games against the top teams that I'm more concerned about.

[dice]

I admire your optimism.

With the departure of Maloney and RTS we already needed a lot of things to go our way. Assuming Jennings goes then even more so. With a slower backline I can see us leaking points on both edges of the field. We also lose the constant threat of line-breaks that Jennings and Maloney provided, which means less space for our forwards to move. Our main attacking weapon will become Hastings kicking in the air for Fergo and Copley. TOK will be proud.

I hope Hastings becomes the superstar that many of you are predicting.

[BUDDY]

We might not have the fastest back line but we surely will have the biggest.
1/ Fergo
2/ Toups
3/ Copley
4/ SKD
5/ Burgess

Some tall boppers there. Hastings could have a field day if he puts some bombs on the line. Plenty of choices.

[dice]

Burgess too small and fast. We should make a play for Leilua or Soliola.

Lets relive the good old days of Sticky trying to field 13 backrowers.

[BUDDY]

Burgess too small and fast. We should make a play for Leilua or Soliola.

Lets relive the good old days of Sticky trying to field 13 backrowers.

Burgess small?

http://www.roosters.com.au/news/2016...joe_burge.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=GLBCQWx5mKs

[dice]

Didn't realise he was 195cm and 100kg. He can stay.

[roostersrule2]

Jennings went missing?

He won us the game against the Bulldogs and got us back in it against Melbourne although we couldn't finish it off.

Back to the thread though, we lack strike power out wide. SKD, Tupou, Burgess are all finishers, they're very good finishers but Fergo is our only strike back. I'm not writing off next season just yet, our squad is still one of the best and our forward pack kicks ass.

Random thought but maybe SST into the centres? Obviously Copley will be playing there but maybe we should throw SST out there. He played his juniors on the edges at backrow and centre and he's a beast, would be a handful.

[ism22]

IMO the Cowboys have always had a rubbish coach, and are serial under-performers given the depth they have had.

At one stage they had like 6 kangaroos and they were still losing.

Last year they lucked out. We were the best team by far and we had really rotten luck with injuries for the finals. Woulda beaten them easily... shoulda beaten the Broncos. Cowboys won due to a lucky last minute try and an immediate stuff-up by Brisbane. Not saying they didn't deserve to win, but I'm not gonna treat them like gold - there was a lot of luck that went their way.

[Darkone]

Good post....

any back line can hack it behind the dominant pack.